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Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Backroads and Beaches of Cuba tour available at present.

Jenny was attentive, calm, well organised, and very personable. She crucially managed our expectations of the trip in the first journey from the airport to the hotel; the food quality can vary, sometimes things don't work, sometimes there's no hot water etc

What Tips Would You Give To Someone Else Booking This Tour

Learning some basic Spanish will really help. Be prepared for a lack of hot water and the odd power cut - take a torch. Wear sturdy shoes even for city walking tours - pavement/road quality is variable. Take tea bags if you are not a coffee drinker. Be prepared for a narrow range of food. Supermarkets don't really exist, grocery stores have little in them. Milk is UHT. There is no cafe culture. Take kaolin/loperamide if you have a sensitive tummy! Take all toiletries you may need.

Do You Have Anything Else To Add

Cuba is a poor country. Hotel standards understandably fall below what you may be used to. Embrace this. It is part of the Cuban experience. (The casa particularies are much better and a really lovely way to immerse yourself amongst locals).

Tour Code

CN

4.5Marilynne Gardiner,
03/12/14

What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?

Dinner in Sol Ananda in Trinidad with the rain rushing past the window in torrents and the wonderful live music playing. Sums the whole place up for me.

Excellent. Always cheerful, helpful and informative. He was also good at adapting to circumstances on the ground. For example when the museums in Trinidad were closed because of the rain, he took us to a couple of local artists studios instead and gave us an insight into modern Cuban art. He also introduced us to Bailando and had us all singing it ad infinitum.

What Tips Would You Give To Someone Else Booking This Tour

Good: The budget advice in the trip notes is about right but if you like music take extra cash because the bands who play in restaurants and bars all want to sell you their CDs and some of them are excellent. Not so good: when checking in to the hotel in Havana, ask for a room away from the building which is being renovated across the street. The work went on until 01.30!

Do You Have Anything Else To Add

If you are thinking of visiting Cuba, go soon before big money finds a way in and changes it forever. The old cars, the crumbling buildings, the pony carts in the countryside are all evidence of the impact of the current regime and the relationship with the USA which will undoubtedly change when the Castro brothers are no longer around.

5Liz Wills,
02/04/14

What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?

Walking in the countryside around Vinales. The visit to the tobacco farm and watching a cigar being rolled was quite special. Also the Salsa lesson in Trinidad was a lot of fun and the ride around Havana on our last night in old American vehicles was memorable!

On our first day in Cuba our tour leader Rene told us he didn't want us just to have a great holiday but to really love his country, I've travelled a fair bit and have loved it - but I didn't expect to fall head over heels for Cuba! It has to be THE best holiday I have had. Rene worked really hard to achieve this in lots of way, one being to arrange for a huge cake for my birthday on our last evening, with the band and whole restaurant singing happy birthday :-)

What Tips Would You Give To Someone Else Booking This Tour

Go with an open mind and you'll have the time of your life...

5Claire,
04/03/14

What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?

Arriving in Havana on a Sunday afternoon and driving through quiet streets, seeing the beautiful, striking buildings and wonderful old cars. A photographer's paradise. Snorkelling off Cayo Blanco in turquoise water, with amazingly colourful fish. Sampling the delicious cocktails. Meeting a wonderful group of travelling companions.

Rene was very hard working and attentive throughout the week, solving any issues or problems quickly and efficiently. He is very knowledgeable about his country and its history.

What Tips Would You Give To Someone Else Booking This Tour

Take plenty of snacks as the quality of the food can be unpredictable. Take tissues, immodium and hand sanitiser. Learn some Spanish before you go- it really helps.

Do You Have Anything Else To Add

You won't be sorry you chose this trip! Cuba is a fascinating place to visit. I loved it.

4.5,
01/01/14

Name

Carolyn

Tour Name

Back roads and beaches of Cuba

Tour Code

CN

What Was The Highlight Or Most Memorable Moment Of Your Tour

For me, 3 highlights. 1. Swimming in the beautiful clear waters of the bay of Pigs on Xmas day. 2. The fiesta in Trinidad. 3. On our last night our tour guide arranged for us to drive around Havana in Classic American convertibles.

Tour Leader Name

Rene

How Was Your Explore Tour Leader

Couldn't have done more for the group. He was excellent and sorted out every issue immediately. Very knowledgeable and helpful. There were some long drives on the trip but he kept us all entertained and the journeys were all part of the experience.

What Tips Would You Give To Someone Else Booking This Tour

Be prepared for some long journeys by private bus, but they're worthwhile to experience the diversity of the western side of the island. Go armed with insect repellant, sunscreen, and hand gel, but most importantly with spare toiletries that you can give to the locals. I have never before been asked for soap by kids in the street.

Do You Have Anything Else To Add

This is a great trip as an intro to this fascinating country. I am well travelled but I have never before been inspired to read up about a country's history as a follow up. Will definitely return.

4.5,
06/12/13

Name

Sue

Tour Name

Backroads and beaches

Tour Code

CN

What Was The Highlight Or Most Memorable Moment Of Your Tour

Going to the "Fiesta" in Trinidad. The vibrancy of the music and the dancing was wonderful. The sights, sounds, history and geography of the island were also totally gripping. I loved it all!!!

Tour Leader Name

Rene

How Was Your Explore Tour Leader

Great. As a first time single "Explore"traveller I was a little nervous but it soon became obvious that I needn't have been. Rene soon got a "group feeling" going on the tour and I felt very comfortable with my fellow travellers. I had been worried about eating out in the evening but Rene took care of this and chose some great places to eat. His knowledge was terrific and I really felt I understood Cuba by the end of the tour.

What Tips Would You Give To Someone Else Booking This Tour

Absorb all the experiences that come your way. It is a busy tour on some days but you will see loads. Be prepared for a couple of quite long coach journeys - they are worth it for what you will see. Food wise go along with what your guide suggests as you will have lots of different interesting experiences. Read up on the history.

Do You Have Anything Else To Add

I will be travelling again with you. I've got the bug!!!!

4.5,
06/12/13

Name

Rose

Tour Name

Backroads and Beaches Of Cuba

Tour Code

CN

What Was The Highlight Or Most Memorable Moment Of Your Tour

There were so many memorable moments that to pack one is impossible. Loved the walk through the tobacco farms, was great to see the people in the country and be able to talk to them. fantastic beaches, beautiful country so green was not expecting the lush scenery.

Tour Leader Name

Rene

How Was Your Explore Tour Leader

Our Team Leader Rene, was brilliant. He could not have done another thing for us. He had a host of history and general knowledge about his country and looked after everyone so well. We were a mixed age group and no one was left out our feeling negelected. Well done Rene. Also a word for out great bus driver Pepe, he was great, staying with the bus so we could leave our belongings there when we went exploring, that was a great idea.

What Tips Would You Give To Someone Else Booking This Tour

Please bring extra tooth paste and soap as they really dont have enough in the countryside and it is great to be able to give it to them. Do use sun screen as even on cloudy days you do burn. Bring long sleeved loose or light top or blouse for extra hot days then you dont worry about burning. apart from that enjoy.

Do You Have Anything Else To Add

"The second hotel/camp site we stayed at was on the point of being really good, just need a little bit of maintance and spruceing up. gaps under doors, loose air conditioners, very small things which would not take long to complete. Also everywhere we ate, the gave far too much food, dont need soup, salad and dinner, I would rather just have soup in middle of day and then just the dinner at night. It was such a waste of food when so many there had nothing. Felt really guilty with all the waste. Saying that all the restaurance we ate at the standard was really good and I actually put on weight!!!! normally would loose half stone or so in two weeks. "

Do You Have Anything Else To Add

I didn't like him. Obviously subjective, I thought he was doing his job because he had to, not because he enjoyed it. After listening to him throughout the trip, I can understand why

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Don't expect the rosy touristy Cuba. This is a country hurt by colonialism, communism and the embargo from the US and Israel. It is desperate for a change, for independence from the old ways and will dry your wallet either by their stories or otherwise. A sad experience.

Do you have anything else to add?

The quality of the accommodation is poor. Albeit reception areas are stunning, it is not the case as soon as you step inside the room. The basics are mostly clean, but e.g. walls are never cleaned, neither are the doors. In Trinidad, the accommodation was worse, where the toilets, the sink, the shower holder were broken and to get hot water, you would have to let the water run for 15 minutes. Appalling! I was moved to another room the following day, and no doubt they have not fixed the room for the next client.

Our Response

We agree Cuban accommodation is not the best; the economic sanctions reduce not just the availability of materials to replace worn out equipment, but also the opportunities for Cubans to acquire the training and skills necessary to provide a good standard of maintenance. There is however no reason why rooms cannot be thoroughly cleaned, and this we are following up via our agent.

4Mark Woodbridge,
17/01/13

What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?

An excellent dinner (and cocktails!) at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba on the final night of our tour.

"Be sure to bring swimming costume. No real need for hiking boots - the activities are relatively sedate, but trainers are advisable in addition to sandals and some shoes for the evenings. Don't expect accommodation to be up to North American standards but no major issues (ear plugs a good idea though).

I booked the land-only itinerary and appreciated an extra couple of days to acclimatise and explore Havana. New Year was an excellent time to visit in terms of climate and the public holidays didn't disrupt our schedule (though the festivities weren't quite as lively as expected)."

Do you have anything else to add?

The tour itinerary could be improved by a night in Cienfuegos on the way to Trinidad - it's a nice town and a contrast to Trinidad and Havana, and would also break up the long journey to Trinidad.

0Val Kamruddin,
14/06/11

Nothing prepares you for the amazing reality of Cuba. From the initial wow factor of 1950's cars on the streets of Havana and the crumbling colonial Spanish architecture, you soon realise there is more to this than meets the eye. This tour is a good first visit and an eye opener to the truth that lies beneath the surface of this beautiful island. This is like no other Caribbean island, it is still stuck in the legacy of Castro's Glorious Revolution and the people suffer. I wish I had taken more clothes and toiletries to give away. Everyone we met was warm and friendly and you soon feel that it's the music that welds everyone together, the music was terrific wherever we went, the Latino culture is so vibrant. Yes go now and you will want to return as I do, and read Cuba and the Night by Pico Iyer which will tell you the truth beneath the surface. (CN - 10th April 2011)

0Mala Singh,
29/12/10

Just the best holiday ever - all the right ingredients - a fascinating location, a great group of travelling companions and an amazing tour leader who understood us, instinctively knew what we wanted and ensured that we got it. The highlight for me was learning more about the recent history of the country - and meeting and chatting to cubans. (CN - 13th November 2010)

0Paul Bondsfield,
17/09/10

Everything you expect Cuba to be and then some. Colonial architecture, old cars, rum, cigars, white sand beaches, lush countryside, passionate people. Great group too - gelled quickly and became good friends by day 2. A tour to get under the skin of a fascinating country. (CN- 12th January 2007)